Wild Skunks and Raccoons are Thriving Coast to Coast

Wild skunks and raccoons are among the most pervasive wild animals in the United States. Odds are they live where you live, even in urban and suburban areas. In this article you’ll read their fascinating facts, plus learn how you can help stem the spread of rabies via these critters.

With its nimble fingers and masked face, the raccoon is nature’s cutest thief.

Photo by Bill Lea

The tail is up, you’ve been warned! The potent musk of the striped skunk can linger for weeks.

Photo by Rolf Nussbaumer/Animals Animals

Both raccoons and skunks mate in winter or early spring, and babies are born about two months later. Young skunks may go off on their own by fall.

Photo by Maslowski Productions

The stripes of the striped skunk, which typically start as one stripe at the neck, break into two across the back, then converge again to make a single stripe across the tail.

Photo by Dwight Kuhn

“Hey, how did we end up in this position?” Raccoons are curious — and adventurous — critters.

Photo by Janet Horton

You can discourage raccoons from thinking of your backyard as a buffet by not leaving trash cans outdoors at night. Tight lids may not be enough to keep ‘coons out of trash cans, given their remarkable dexterity.

Photo by Michael Durham

Raccoons are excellent swimmers, but don’t dive at the chance because their fur isn’t waterproof.

Photo by Maslowski Productions

The five-fingered hands of the raccoon are among the most dexterous in nature — their flexibility and sensitivity rival that of monkeys and humans.

Photo by Maslowski Productions

Both raccoons and skunks mate in winter or early spring, and babies are born about two months later. Raccoons usually stay with their mothers until the following spring.

Photo by Maslowski Productions

The spotted skunk is the smallest North American skunk, weighing just 1 or 2 pounds.

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